Massachusetts Blizzard Snowfall Totals and the storm’s toll
massachusetts blizzard snowfall totals show record-breaking measurements in multiple communities as the storm left more than a quarter-million residents without power and prompted the state’s first travel ban in over a decade. The region is digging out from a historic bomb cyclone that brought heavy snow, coastal winds and grounded hundreds of flights.
Whitman’s 33. 7 inches and the old Natick mark
Whitman recorded 33. 7 inches in a 24-hour period, setting a new 24-hour snowfall record. That surpassed the previous 24-hour mark of 29 inches set in Natick during the April Fools’ Day storm in 1997.
More than two feet across southern New England and Cape Cod impacts
Parts of southern New England received more than two feet of snow, with Dighton, New Bedford, Swansea and Taunton all reporting totals above that threshold. The storm produced blinding snow, brutal winds and even thundersnow, particularly on Cape Cod and the South Coast. Jonathan Darling, a spokesperson for the city of New Bedford, said, "Thirty inches of snow is no joke, that's for sure. "
Travel ban in four counties, MBTA service and school closures
Governor Maura Healey issued a travel ban covering Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes and Plymouth counties. The measure was the state’s first travel ban in over a decade and aimed to keep roads clear during the worst conditions. The MBTA planned to continue operating Tuesday with reduced service, and dozens of school districts across the state were closed Tuesday for a second straight day. Healey said during an afternoon press conference, "This storm has been a doozy. " Those who violate the travel ban face a $500 fine.
Widespread outages, Scituate warnings and restoration challenges
As of late Monday night there were still more than 269, 534 power outages in Massachusetts. Officials warned that winds needed to die down before many restoration efforts could begin and said access for utility crews would be the main issue. Crews in bucket trucks require calmer conditions to reach downed lines, and roads must be cleared for crews to reach problem areas; residents could be facing a "multiday power restoration, " and officials asked the public to be patient. In Scituate, residents were told to brace for multiple days without power. Town Administrator James Boudreau said, "Things are a mess. " Downed power lines, felled trees and abandoned and stuck cars complicated response efforts.
Airports, road paralysis and extreme coastal gusts
Logan Airport in Boston recorded 16. 9 inches, while some city neighborhoods received higher amounts. In neighboring Rhode Island, T. F. Green Airport reached 37. 9 inches by 8 p. m., breaking records that had stood since the Blizzard of '78. The storm paralyzed road travel and grounded hundreds of local flights. Coastal areas were lashed by fierce winds, with some towns on Cape Cod and the Islands reporting gusts topping 70 miles per hour; Nantucket recorded a 78-mph wind gust shortly after 10: 30 a. m., a strength comparable to a Category 1 hurricane. State Police reported responding to more than 400 disabled vehicles on roadways through Monday afternoon.
Bomb cyclone, bombogenesis and an unclear National Guard role
The nor'easter accelerated Sunday night into a bomb cyclone, undergoing bombogenesis in which its central pressure dropped 24 millibars or greater within 24 hours. This was the first blizzard to hit New England since 2022 and it dumped more than two feet of snow on parts of southern New England. The context references the National Guard, but further details about its role are unclear in the provided context.
massachusetts blizzard snowfall totals remain a central measure of the storm's impact as communities begin recovery, clear roads and restore power over the coming days.
